2023: Election: Adebanjo not speaking for Yourba- Trade Group
Alhaji Adelodun Kayode-Lateef, the President, Lagos State Plank and Building Materials Market Association, has appealed to all Yoruba sons and daughters, to rally round Asiwaju Bola Ahmed, the Presidential Candidate of the All Progressive Congress (APC), for the forthcoming 2023 elections.
Adelodun made the call while speaking with journalists on his association forthcoming 30years anniversary, said their support for the aspirations of Tinubu/ Shettima and the Second term of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and other APC candidates was non negotiable.
According to Alhaji Adelodun, the trade group, operating in 170 markets in Lagos, are also supporting all the APC candidates in the state at the forthcoming general elections.
He said that those seen as elders and leaders must be seen showing the way in their support for one of their own and not working against them.
Adelodun however noted that the statement credited to PA Ayo Adebanjo on his endorsement of the Labour Party’s candidate for 2023 election, Peter Obi, as an individual, was not a Yoruba race decision.
iHe said that pa Adebanjo was entitled to his decision and free to support anyone he likes but can not decide for all members of Afenifere.
“We repect the age of Baba Adebanjo, he is free to vote for anyone he likes, we have no issues with that but he has no authority to speak for the entire Yorubas,” he stated.
Adelodun stressed that, “the best way to show that Asiwaju is the right candidate is to allow love to conquer whatever issues Adebanjo may have with him as we are on a mission to build this country with love and unity irrespective of our respective differences.
“The real leader of Afenifere, Baba Reuben Fasoranti often said that Adebanjo has always been speaking for himself and not Afenifere,. It is important to note this key statement”love conquer all things “as captured in the Holy Book,” he added.
He said, “among those jostling to get the presidency, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu stands head and shoulder above the rest. If we, as a nation, are ruled by the desire to tap our most competent, most able, best tested and adroit consideration for the presidency, Asiwaju is the impeccable choice.
Alhaji Adelodun pointed out that “Tinubu deliberately planned Lagos for this role when he involved other tribes in the governance of Lagos and ensured that the all-encompassing policy was enduring to date.
“We are supporting Asiwaju’Tinubu because we know he has the capacity to serve all Nigerians in equal measures.
Alhaji Adelodun “When Tinubu is elected president, he will be a Nigerian first before being a Yoruba man, and he did demonstrate this cosmopolitan carriage when he was Lagos governor,” he said.
Alhaji Adelodun urged South-West zone to rally around Tinubu as the best for the nation’s top job with its second largest votes in order to bring the dividends of democracy to the ordinary Nigerians.
According to him, the association is wholly convinced and sure that Tinubu is the Yoruba’s best foot in 2023, considering his antecedents and his fruitful governance.
He said that the former governor of Lagos State worked out an oasis of growth and economic development, which had benefitted and continued to benefit other states and other ethnic groups apart from the Yoruba.
Alhaji Adelodun said that the statement credited to PA Ayo Adebanjo, on his endorsement of the Labour Party’s candidate for 2023 election, Peter Obi, as an individual, is entitled and free to support anyone he likes but can not decide for all members of Afenifere.
“We repect the age of Baba Adebanjo, he is free to vote for anyone he likes, we have no issues with that but he has no authority to speak for the entire Yorubas,” he stated.
Adelodun stressed that, “the best way to show that Asiwaju is the right candidate is to allow love to conquer whatever issues Adebanjo may have with him as we are on a mission to build this country with love and unity irrespective of our respective differences.
“The real leader of Afenifere Baba Reuben Fasoranti often said that Adebanjo has always been speaking for himself and not Afenifere,. It is important to note this key statement”love conquer all things “as captured in the Holy Book,” he added.
“Of course, the pivotal role Tinubu played in the formation of APC, which eventually wrested power from PDP, cannot be ignored,” Alhaji Adelodun.
The president said that it was uncharitable for some individuals in the South West to continue their unsavoury commentaries on the candidacy of Tinubu, saying he needs total support of Yoruba.
He said that if supported Tinubu would impact on the general human capital development and provide right atmosphere for Yoruba to excel in various endeavous.
“Given the massive success Tinubu wrought in Lagos, it behoves every Yoruba man to see the dawn of a golden future not only for Yoruba but all Nigerians with a Tinubu presidency.
“The South as a whole and indded every Nigerian must now see this season as an opportunity we cannot afford to miss in the interest of the entire country.
“We need to march in great numbers as Yoruba, to support our very best chance at the Nigerian Presidency in 2023.
Alhaji Adelodun said that members of the association had over the years been contributing to the wellbeing of the people of the state as well as the economic development of the nation at large.
